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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Cobb County, GA

Lemon thyme is a low-growing perennial herb with tiny, citrus-scented leaves. It combines the savory quality of thyme with a bright lemon flavor, excellent with fish and poultry.

Cobb County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 387 feet, Cobb County receives approximately 57.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lemon Thyme, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lemon Thyme root diseases.

Cobb County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Cobb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 4

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lemon Thyme needs ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,601 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Cobb County, GA

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Aug 18

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

215 days

Growing Tips for Cobb County

Start from cuttings or divisions. Plant in well-drained soil. Trim back after flowering. Use as a fragrant ground cover or edging plant along garden paths.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemon Thyme in Cobb County, GA?

Cobb County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cobb County, GA?

Cobb County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cobb County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cobb County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.